Connecting Ecosystems in the Okanagan Valley
The Okangan Collaborative Conservation Program has secured funding for developing a long-term Action Plan to protect wildlife corridors in the Central and North Okanagan.
This year, OCCP will work with UBCO, Okanagan Nation Alliance, local and provincial government and an advisory committee to identify strategic opportunities to protect sections of the 68 km ecological corridor that connects Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. The Action Plan will guide efforts and actions related to land use planning, stewardship, land securement, education and outreach, and research.
The Okanagan basin is home to some of the highest concentrations of species at risk in BC and Canada and many of our natural areas are being fragmented by habitat loss from urban and agricultural development and resources extraction. Protecting ecosystem connectivity is critical for the long term survival of wildlife and ecosystems. The corridors provide area for animals to move so they can find food, shelter and mates, and prevents populations from becoming isolated. Isolated populations over time have low genetic diversity and become less resilient and susceptible diseases and extinction. Read more on the OCCP website okcp.ca
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